A traditional image of Costa Rica, and extremely
exquisite is the jaguar. In many works of art, it is
portrayed elegantly in a variety of ways; the
pear-shaped vessel is one of the more beautiful
designs. Made of terracotta and then painted
with a cream/white slip and decorated with black
and red decorative motifs, the whole piece is
visually very striking. The face of the jaguar is in
the center of the vessel in sculptural splendor
with its fangs displayed. Around the face is a
serrated collar, which accentuates the face and
brings about a connection between the main
body of the vessel and the extremities such as
the neck and the arms and legs. The neck is
decorated in registers with beautiful geometric
patterns. However, the legs and arms show a
charming jaguar motif. Combined, all of these
forms of decoration create a beautifully
symmetrical work of art capturing many of the
traditional ideas of the community, and allowing
us to have a brief glimpse into this piece of
history.
- (PF.3967)
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